[rpu3]

Originally Posted by Thrax

Of the places you've traveled to already, which is your favorite? Or do you have different favorites for different reasons?

I don't know if I could pick a favorite. I can eliminate places we've been out of the favorite list. I like Canada, Caribbean and Mexico well enough, but none of our trips to these locations stand out. Those trips are kind of "been there, done that, good enough."

Anything I consider a favorite so far would be in Europe. I guess, to date, France (especially Paris) and what little we saw sailing a bit in Greece would the absolute favorites. If I could speak French and had work, I could easily live in Paris. But it's hard to not put Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Bruges/Brugge on the list of favorites either. All are different and have a different appeal and vibe.

The Spousal Unit is chiming in that his is Amsterdam. His answer would be of no surprise to anyone who knows him. He just wishes we could move Amsterdam to a warm beach locale and his life would be perfect. But this is my interview, not his.

And for future travel destinations, what would be your ideal destination/itinerary?

Right this minute - Italy.

Please tell us what would be the one dream vacation that would be within reason -- something you could possibly arrange and afford and which might conceivably come to pass...

It would still be Italy. Two weeks. Fly into Rome, see Pompei, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, the Tuscany region, and then see and fly out of Venice.

However, I've been trying to do this for 3 years, and it's not going to happen this year. Maybe not next year either, since we've promised the Nephew Unit a Europe trip if he manages to graduate and it looks like he'll not only graduate, but perhaps actually manage to go to college, so we will be doing France and Benelux. Maybe 2010 will finally be my year.

...and then tell us your ultimate fantasy vacation if money and time were no issue.

Well, I could do the obvious 3 or 6 month world tour. That certainly would be acceptable.

I think, however, in a perfect world, I'd do a six-month sailboat trip through the Mediterranean, the Adriatic, the Ionian and the Aegean seas. I'd pick up our boat in Spain and cruise the Balearic islands. I'd then like to head up towards the French Riviera and around to the west shore of Italy heading south to Palermo. It's a bit out of the way, but with six months, we could feasibly hit Croatia and see a bit of the Serbian coast on the way to Greece. Greece needs a lot of time. There is much to see there, as well as some of Turkey. I'd then fly home from Athens or Istanbul.

With six months, I could rent an apartment by the harbor for a few days if we are staying for a week or so in a locale to just get off the boat, clean the boat, do laundry and provision again.

We could sail alone, but it is far easier and more entertaining with help, so in a perfect world, we'd have friend or friends that we could deal with for 6 months (and who could deal with us). And a big boat! Luckily, there would be a lot of time to be able to get time away from others (I like my quiet down time without anyone around - not even the spouse).

Alternatively, we'd have friends and family meet us at various locations to help crew yet provide some variety in visitors. They'd be leaving about the time I'm sick of seeing them.

Anyway, my dream trip would provide variety of locations, cuisines, yet a lot of sun and water and warmth and excitement yet have some chill time.

In my perfect world, of course.

Finally, are you a member of the Mile-High Club?

Like I already answered last night, nope. And I have yet to understand that or at least not having done a hand-job on a plane, mostly because on a plane, an Orson Welles quote always comes to mind: "There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror." Seriously, what's the harm of breaking at least the tedium portion of the trip?

Or do you and the spousal unit have any stories of your sexual exploits in exotic locales? (Just curious. My Penthouse subscription lapsed. )

Sorry about your subscription. Won't be able to make up for it considering we rarely travel alone. We often go with friends and/or family since we live alone and away from family so we don't mind traveling with people. Makes the whole sexual exploit thing kind of difficult when you are sharing a boat or a house or apartment.

My most exciting exploitwould likely be trying to have sex in a hot tub right here in Ohio. Not quite what most have in mind as to exploits in exotic locales.

Sorry.

Thanks! And great answers so far, btw.

Thank you.

/I'm a Farker, too
//with a few Photoshop second and third places, but no wins
///no greenlighted headlines either

*waves to Farkers two4youinswva and to some prime suspects living somewhat east of the Burgh...you know who you are*

Well, I should clarify that I'm only a 'liter. So, I think I'm only allowed to enjoy the headlines and I have to be happy with never getting a headline greenlighted.

So, there are more Farkers out there, eh?